SL Benfica strengthens defense with El Karouani loan and Araújo extension

SL Benfica has completed two significant defensive moves involving Soufiane El Karouani and Tomás Araújo.

Benfica has secured the services of Moroccan left-back Soufiane El Karouani on loan from Al-Qadsiah until the end of the season. The agreement includes a clause allowing Benfica to make the transfer permanent for approximately 10 million euros. El Karouani, 25, joined the Saudi Arabian club in June on a three-year contract after leaving Utrecht, but reportedly struggled to adapt to the environment.

Additionally, central defender Tomás Araújo has signed a long-term contract extension with Benfica that runs through June 2031. The 24-year-old, who has been with the club since joining the academy in 2016, saw his previous contract extended by two years. The new deal includes an €80 million release clause and follows several rejected transfer approaches from clubs in the English Premier League and La Liga.